Highlighting the top individual and team matchups of the week, leading into more detailed articles later in the week.
My brother has this impressive Stuart Scott-like ability to make any basketball game seem interesting, regardless of the team's record, roster or any other factor.
That once-in-a-generation ability skipped my gene pool, but what I do have is a cheat sheet called the internet that allows me to find the most interesting matchups of the week and gather information on them.
With that information, for the remainder of the season, I'll announce what I view to be the most interesting games of every week, from clear marquee team matchups to glorified one on ones.
One of these emphasized matchups will result in a "Building a Franchise" series article, and if a team has more than one must-watch games, they will be the subject of that week's case study—a new film-based series of columns on specific NBA teams.
Dallas Mavericks vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
When: Monday at 8:00 PM ET
Key Matchup(s): Actual game, Luka Dončic vs. OKC guards, Kristaps Porzingis vs. Steven Adams
Key Storyline(s): Playoff seeding, Playoff energy, High-level guard play throughout
Houston Rockets vs. Utah Jazz
When: Monday 9:00 PM ET
Key Matchup(s): Actual game, James Harden vs. Donovan Mitchell, Hot Russell Westbrook vs. Jazz defense
Key Storyline(s): Top-10 offenses, Potential playoff matchup, Statement win for either team, Fast Rockets(2nd in pace) and Slow Jazz(21st in pace)
Phoenix Suns vs. Dallas Mavericks
When: Tuesday 8:30 PM ET
Key Matchup(s): Actual game, Devin Booker and DeAndre Ayton vs. Luka Dončic and Kristaps Porzingis
Key Storyline(s): Top-10 offenses, Battle of three-point shooting, Two young star duos
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Los Angeles Lakers
When: Tuesday 10:00 PM ET
Key Matchup(s): Actual game, LeBron James vs. Kawhi Leonard, No.1 Duo vs. No.2 Duo, Frank Vogel vs. Doc Rivers
Key Storyline(s): Los Angeles emotion, Potential Western Conference Finals, Season series bragging rights, Two top-5 teams
Ben Simmons vs. Trae Young
When: Thursday 7:30 PM ET
Stat Comparison: Ben Simmons(last 7 games): 23.4 points, 10 rebounds, 8.14 assists
Trae Young(last 7 games): 30.7 points, 5 rebounds, 11.14 assists
Key Storyline(s): Better lead playmaker, two great but different passers, difference between future generation of guards
Dallas Mavericks vs. Houston Rockets
When: Thursday 8:00 PM ET
Key Matchup(s): Actual game, Luka Dončic vs. Houston guards, Luka Dončic vs. Physical defense
Key Storyline(s): MVP candidates, potential playoff matchup, Similarities between Dončic and James Harden, Offense, Hero ball, Two top-3 offenses
Milwaukee Bucks vs. Denver Nuggets
When: Friday 9:00 PM ET
Key Matchup(s): Giannis Antetokounmpo vs. Nikola Jokic, Supporting cast vs. Supporting cast,
Key Storyline(s): Two top-5 teams, Two of the top non-American talents, Two potential Coaches of the Year, Top-10 defenses, Michael Porter Jr. minutes
Ja Morant vs. Zion Williamson
When: Friday 8:00 PM ET
Stat Comparison: Zion Williamson(3 games played): 19.3 points, 8 rebounds, 66.7 field goal percentage
Ja Morant: 17.6 points, 7.1 assists, 39.1 three-point percentage
Key Storyline(s): Potential Rookie of the Years, No.1 overall pick vs. No.2 overall pick
Luka Dončic vs. Trae Young
When: Saturday 8:30 PM ET
Stat Comparison: Luka Dončic: 29 points, 9.5 rebounds, 8.9 assists
Trae Young: 29.5 points, 4.6 rebounds, 8.9 assists
Key Storyline(s): Two All Star starters, Traded for each other, Future of the league
Rest in Peace Kobe Bryant. Feel free to leave a comment for which games to focus on, and remember to subscribe so you don't miss out on the more detailed articles.
留言